I grew up in the Northeast and hit puberty in the late ’80s/early ’90s. I mention this mandatory time of passage only to illustrate a point.

You draw into your person and its personality from where and when you are from. A Spanish conquistador from the 16th century could never understand why conquering the Aztecs would be considered bad.

Same as Puritans leaving English persecution didn’t see anything wrong with persecuting people that didn’t look like they did once they arrived in the ‘New World’.

Same as I can’t understand why Redman doesn’t get the respect he deserves as one of the greatest MCs ever. Why the Flava Unit conglomerate headed by Queen Latifah (Yes, that Queen) doesn’t get much love or why the Jungle Brothers seem to be easily forgotten when mentioning the Native Tongue family.

But none of that explains my love of Das EFX.

With one member from Jersey, the other from Brooklyn; they were where I was and where I wanted to be. With Timberland boots, baggy jeans and loose-fitting hoodies, they were avatars for my understanding of style.

And their rap style was unlike anything else.

It wasn’t easy to repeat their lyrics, but if you listened to the tape enough you could get it done. They mixed pop culture references with hints of the gangster premises that resound to this day; all while spitting syllables at an accelerated rate.

Similar to a comet, their time on the radio and bumping from the cars of teenagers quickly came and went. However, they’re still in my rotation and if I ever get an at-bat, I’ve requested ‘They Want EFX’ as my walk-up music.

Is my affection for them because of my childhood memories or because I support those from my home more than others?